News production system with dynamic character generator output

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an example method involves: using, by a computing device, data associated with multiple elections to generate a set of ordered content items, wherein each content item of the set of ordered content items includes content associated with a respective one of the multiple elections, and wherein the set of ordered content items is used to generate a video stream representing video content; using, by a computing device, at least a portion of the data to make a determination that a status of one of the multiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set; and based, at least in part, on the determination, while the video stream is being generated, modifying, by the computing device, the set of ordered content items, thereby causing the video content to be modified.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

In this disclosure, with respect to all reasonable derivatives of suchterms, unless otherwise specified and/or unless the particular contextclearly dictates otherwise, each usage of “a” or “an” means at leastone, and each usage of “the” means the at least one.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise specified, the materials described in this section arenot prior art to the claims in this disclosure and are not admitted tobe prior art by inclusion in this section.

A news production system (NPS) may generate and output a video streamrepresenting a news program. The NPS may include various components toaid in the process of generating and outputting the video stream. Forexample, the NPS may include a scheduling system, which may provide auser interface that allows a user (e.g., a producer or technicaldirector) to create and/or edit a program schedule of the news program.The scheduling system may then process records in the program schedule,and based on the processed records, control one or more devices,systems, or other entities of the NPS to facilitate generating andoutputting the video stream.

The NPS may also include a character generator, which may use a set ofordered content items to generate a video stream representing videocontent that includes the content items in the specified order.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, an example method includes: using, by a computingdevice, data associated with multiple elections to generate a set ofordered content items, wherein each content item of the set of orderedcontent items includes content associated with a respective one of themultiple elections, and wherein the set of ordered content items is usedto generate a video stream representing video content; using, by acomputing device, at least a portion of the data to make a determinationthat a status of one of the multiple elections satisfies each conditionin a condition set; and based, at least in part, on the determination,while the video stream is being generated, modifying, by the computingdevice, the set of ordered content items, thereby causing the videocontent to be modified.

In a second aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable mediumhas stored thereon, program instructions that when executed by aprocessor, cause the computing device to perform a set of actsincluding: using data associated with multiple elections to generate aset of ordered content items, wherein each content item of the set ofordered content items includes content associated with a respective oneof the multiple elections, and wherein the set of ordered content itemsis used to generate a video stream representing video content; using atleast a portion of the data to make a determination that a status of oneof the multiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set;and based, at least in part, on the determination, while the videostream is being generated, modifying the set of ordered content items,thereby causing the video content to be modified.

In a third aspect, an example system includes a character generator,wherein the system is configured to perform a set of acts including:using data associated with multiple elections to generate a set ofordered content items, wherein each content item of the set of orderedcontent items includes content associated with a respective one of themultiple elections, and wherein the character generator uses the set ofordered content items to generate a video stream representing videocontent; using at least a portion of the data to make a determinationthat a status of one of the multiple elections satisfies each conditionin a condition set; and based, at least in part, on the determination,while the video stream is being generated, modifying the set of orderedcontent items, thereby causing the video content to be modified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of another example system.

FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram of an example set of content items in afirst state.

FIG. 4B is a simplified diagram of the set of content items of FIG. 4A,but in a second state.

FIG. 4C is a simplified diagram of the set of content items of FIG. 4A,but in a third state.

FIG. 5A is a simplified illustration of a frame of an example videosegment, where no content is overlaid on the frame.

FIG. 5B is a simplified illustration of a frame of an example videosegment, where a ticker is overlaid on the frame.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Overview

As noted above, a character generator may use a set of ordered contentitems to generate a video stream representing video content thatincludes the content items in the specified order. In a scenario wherean NPS produces a news program that provides coverage of multipleelections, the content items may be generated based on data associatedwith the elections. Such data may indicate, for instance, a electionidentifier, candidate identifiers, and a total number of tabulated votesfor each candidate of the election.

As such, in one example, the set of ordered content items may include afirst content item that includes first election information, a secondcontent item that includes second election information, and a thirdcontent item that includes third election information. In someinstances, such as where the set of ordered content items includes manycontent items, the video content may present the content items in ascrolling or rotating fashion. For example, the video content maypresent the set of ordered content items as a continuous stream ofcontent that scrolls from right to left. For example, the video contentmay present the first election information scrolling from right to left,followed by the second election information scrolling from right toleft, and so forth. In some cases, the scrolling or rotating may berepeated such that the content items are presented in a cyclicalfashion.

In some instances, a producer may organize and define an order for thecontent items before production of the news program, perhaps based on anexpected level of popularity associated with the content items, suchthat the content items are presented in the same order in the videocontent. For example, if the producer expects the first election to bemore popular than the second election, the producer may position thefirst content item before the second content item in the set of orderedcontent items. As a result, by using the set of ordered content items,the character generator generates video content that includes the firstelection information positioned before the second election information.

In some instances though, it may be desired to modify the video streamgenerated by the character generator during production of the newsprogram. For example, where the second election starts to becomes morepopular than the first election after production of the news program hasbegun, it may be desired to modify the video stream such that the secondelection information is positioned before the first election informationin the video content.

The present disclosure provides an NPS that helps address this issue. Inone aspect, the NPS includes an election system in addition to acharacter generator. The election system collects and organizes varioustypes of election-related data, such as data associated with multipleelections.

The election system may use the data to generate a set of orderedcontent items, where each content item of the set includes contentassociated with a respective one of the multiple elections. The electionsystem may then make a determination that a status of one of themultiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set. This mayindicate that the election has a threshold level of popularity. Forexample, if the status satisfies each condition in the condition set,this may indicate that the election is significantly close,significantly lopsided, or that an earlier projected outcome of theelection was significantly inaccurate.

Based at least in part, on the determination, while the video stream isbeing generated, the election system may modify the set of orderedcontent items, thereby causing the video content to be modified. Theelection system may modify the set of ordered content items in variousways. For example, the election system may reorder a content item. Assuch, where a particular election is determined to have a thresholdlevel of popularity, the election system may re-position within the setof ordered content items (e.g., by moving it closer to the beginning ofthe set) the content item corresponding to that election. This mayresult in the content item having a more prominent position in the videocontent (i.e., one that is more likely to be viewed).

As another example, where a particular election is determined to have athreshold level of popularity, the election system may add a duplicateof the content item corresponding to that election to the set of contentitems. This may result in that content item (or a copy thereof)appearing more frequently in the video content.

II. Example Devices and Systems

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device 100.Computing device 100 may perform various acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure (including the accompanyingdrawings). Computing device 100 may include various components, such asprocessor 102, data storage unit 104, communication interface 106,and/or user interface 108. These components may be connected to eachother (or to another device, system, or other entity) via connectionmechanism 110.

As used in this disclosure, the term connection mechanism means amechanism that facilitates communication between two or more devices,systems, or other entities. A communication mechanism may be arelatively simple mechanism, such as a cable or system bus, or arelatively complex mechanism, such as a packet-based communicationnetwork (e.g., the Internet). In some instances, a connection mechanismmay include a non-tangible medium (e.g., where the connection iswireless).

Processor 102 may include a general-purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)).

Data storage unit 104 may include one or more volatile, non-volatile,removable, and/or non-removable storage components, such as magnetic,optical, or flash storage, and/or may be integrated in whole or in partwith processor 102. Further, data storage unit 104 may take the form ofa non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereonprogram instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled program logicand/or machine code) that, when executed by processor 102, causecomputing device 100 to perform one or more acts and/or functions, suchas those described in this disclosure. As such, computing device 100 maybe configured to perform one or more acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure. Such program instructions may defineand/or be part of a discrete software application that can be executedin response to certain inputs being received from communicationinterface 106 and/or user interface 108, for instance. Data storage unit104 may also store other types of data, such as those types described inthis disclosure.

Communication interface 106 may allow computing device 100 to connect toand/or communicate with a device, system, or other entity according toone or more protocols. In one example, communication interface 106 maybe a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or a high-definitionserial-digital-interface (HD-SDI). In another example, communicationinterface 106 may be a wireless interface, such as a cellular or WI-FIinterface. Each connection described in this disclosure may be a directconnection or an indirect connection, the latter being a connection thatpasses through and/or traverses one or more devices, systems, or otherentities, such as such as a router, switcher, or other network device.

User interface 108 may facilitate interaction with a user of computingdevice 100, if applicable. As such, user interface 108 may include inputcomponents such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-sensitivepanel, a microphone, and/or a camera, and/or output components such as adisplay device (which, for example, may be combined with atouch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and/or a haptic feedbacksystem.

Computing device 100 may take various forms, such as a workstation, adesktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and/or a mobile phone.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example system 200. System200 may include various components, such as news production system (NPS)202, video-broadcast system 204, and end-user device 206, each of whichmay be implemented as a computing device or a system that includes oneor more computing devices. System 200 may also include connectionmechanism 208, which connects NPS 202 with video-broadcast system 204;and connection mechanism 210, which connects video-broadcast system 204with end-user device 206.

NPS 202 may generate a video stream representing a news program, and maythen transmit the video stream to video-broadcast system 204.Video-broadcast system 204 may then receive the video stream andtransmit the video stream to end-user device 206 for presentation of therepresented video content to an end-user. In practice, video-broadcastsystem 204 may transmit the video stream to a large number of end-userdevices for presentation of the represented video content to a largenumber of end-users.

A video stream may be transmitted according to a variety of differentstandards. For instance, a video stream may be transmitted according tothe high-definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) with a datatransfer rate of 1.485 Gbps. In some instances, a video stream may beencoded and the encoded version of the video stream may be transmittedinstead of the original video stream.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example NPS 202. NPS 202 mayinclude various components, such as video source 302, DVE system 304,scheduling system 306, and election system 308, each of which may beimplemented as computing device or a system that includes one or morecomputing devices. NPS 202 may also include connection mechanism 310,which connects video source 302 with DVE system 304; connectionmechanism 311, which connects video source 302 to election system 308;connection mechanism 312, which connects scheduling system 306 withvideo source 302; connection mechanism 314, which connects schedulingsystem 306 with DVE system 304; and connection mechanism 316, whichconnects scheduling system 306 with election system 308.

Video source 302 may generate and/or output a video stream, and maytransmit the video stream to DVE system 304. Video source 302 may takevarious forms, such as a video camera, a satellite receiver, a videoserver, or a character generator. An example video server is the K2server provided by Grass Valley™ of San Francisco, Calif.

A character generator may generate a video stream based on input data.For example, a character generator may use an ordered set of contentitems to generate a video stream representing video content thatincludes the content items in the specified order. Such content itemsmay include various types of content, such as text and/or images. Theordered set of content items may be stored in various forms, such as inthe form of an extended markup Language (XML) file. As another example,the ordered set of content items may be stored as a flat file databaseincluding nested directories, where each directory includes a respectivetext file, and where each text file includes a number, name or otherpiece of election data. An example character generator is the Viz Trioprovided by Viz Rt™ of Bergen Norway.

FIG. 4A helps illustrate an example set of content items for use with acharacter generator. FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram of a set 400 ofcontent items in a first state. In the first state, set 400 includesfour ordered content items 402 a-d. Each content item 402 a-d includesinformation related to a respective election, namely the name of theposition being sought, the candidate's names, their respective tabulatedvote percentages, and the percentage of precincts reporting.

It should be noted that set 400 has been greatly simplified for thepurposes of illustrating certain features. In practice, a set of contentitems is likely to include more content items, and each content item islikely to include more and/or different content.

FIGS. 4B and 4C, which show set 400 in second and third states,respectively, are discussed in connection with Section III below.

DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which may cause DVE system 304 togenerate and/or output a video stream. DVE system 304 may then transmitthe generated video stream to another device, system, or entity, such asvideo-broadcast system 204.

In one example, DVE system 304 may receive from video source 302, avideo stream representing a video segment, and may execute a DVE, whichcauses DVE system 304 to modify the video segment and to generate andoutput a new video stream representing the modified video segment.

DVE system 304 may modify the video segment in various ways, such as byoverlaying text, images, video, or other content thereon. For example,DVE system 304 may modify the video segment by overlaying a channel logoin a lower right-hand corner of the video segment. As another example,DVE system 304 may modify the video segment by overlaying a text boxincluding text over a lower-third portion of the video segment. As yetanother example, DVE system 304 may modify the video segment byoverlaying election-related content on the video segment. In oneexample, the election-related content may be overlaid, perhaps in ascrolling or rotating fashion (sometimes referred to in the industry asa “scrolling carousel” or a “flipping carousel,” respectively), on arectangular-shaped area near the bottom of the video segment. This issometimes referred to as a ticker.

FIGS. 5A and 5B help illustrate the concept of overlaying a ticker on avideo segment. FIG. 5A is a simplified diagram of a frame 500 of anexample video segment. Frame 500 includes content 502, but does notinclude a ticker overlaid on content 502. For comparison, FIG. 5B is asimplified diagram of a frame 550 of an example video segment. Frame 552includes content 552 and a ticker 554 overlaid on content 552. Ticker554 currently presents a portion of content item 402 a.

As noted above, DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which causes DVEsystem 304 to generate a video stream by modifying a video segmentrepresented by an existing video stream. However, as another example,DVE system 304 may execute a DVE, which causes DVE system 304 togenerate a video stream without using an existing video stream. In thiscase, rather than overlaying content on an existing video segment, DVEsystem 304 may instead generate a new video segment, and may generate avideo stream representing the generated video segment.

DVE system 304 may obtain content for use in connection with executing aDVE in various ways. For example, DVE system 304 may retrieve suchcontent from a data storage unit in the DVE system. As another example,DVE system 304 may receive such content from another source, such asvideo source 302 or election system 308.

In practice, DVE system 304 may execute multiple DVEs in serial fashion.Further, in practice, NPS 202 may include multiple video sources and/ormultiple DVE systems. For example, in one arrangement, each of multiplevideo sources may be connected to DVE system 304, and DVE system 304 mayswitch between one or more inputs as appropriate to execute a given DVE.

DVE system 304 may also perform other acts/or functions related to DVEs.For example, DVE system 304 may provide a user interface that allows auser to create and/or edit DVEs. When DVE system 304 creates a DVE, DVEsystem 304 may generate and store corresponding program instructions forlater retrieval and execution. As such, the process of the DVE system304 executing a DVE may involve DVE system retrieving and executingprogram instructions corresponding to the DVE.

DVE system 304 may take various forms, such as a production switcher. Anexample production switcher is the Vision Octane production switcherprovided by Ross Video Ltd. of Iroquois, Ontario in Canada.

Scheduling system 306 may perform acts and/or functions related toscheduling and managing the production of a news program. For example,scheduling system 306 may provide a user interface that allows a user tocreate and/or edit a program schedule of a news program. Further,scheduling system 306 may process records in a program schedule. Thismay result in scheduling system 306 controlling one or more otherdevices, systems, or entities of the NPS 202 to cause NPS 202 togenerate and/or output a video stream representing a news program. Assuch, based on a program schedule, scheduling system 306 may controlvideo source 302 and DVE system 304.

A program schedule (sometimes referred to in the industry as a“rundown”) serves as an outline of a news program and may includemultiple records. A news program may be conceptually divided intomultiple logically-separated portions (sometimes referred to in theindustry as “stories”). As such, each portion of the news program may berepresented by a separate record of the program schedule. Each recordmay include various types of information.

Election system 308 may facilitate the process of gathering, organizing,and outputting election-related data. Such data may come from varioussources, such as from government-operated reporting systems, and maytake various forms. Such data may indicate various types of informationabout elections, such as titles of political offices that are thesubject of the elections, names and other information of candidates,amounts of votes cast and/or tabulated for candidates, amounts andidentifies of precincts or other zones reporting tabulated votes, and/orprojections of election outcomes.

In this disclosure, the terms “election” means any type of vote-baseddecision-making process. In one example, an election may involve aprocess where voters vote to determine which candidate obtains apolitical office. In another example, an election may involve aballot-initiative process where voters vote to determine whether or nota proposed law becomes law. As such, an election may have various typesof voting options.

Video-broadcast system 204 may distribute a video stream to an end-userdevice for presentation of video content represented by the video streamto an end-user. In practice, video-broadcast system 204 may distribute avideo stream to a mass number of end-user devices for presentation ofvideo content represented by the video stream to a mass number ofend-users. Video-broadcast system 204 may include various systems orcomponents, such as a terrestrial antenna or a satellite, and may beconfigured for distributing the video stream to end-user device 206 invarious ways. For example, video-broadcast system 204 may distribute thevideo stream over-the-air or via a packet-based network such as theInternet.

End-user device 206 may present video content represented by a receivedvideo stream to an end-user. End-user device 26 may take a variety offorms, such as a television, a television set-top box, and/or acomputing device. As used throughout this disclosure, the termvideo-broadcast means the distribution of video via any means.

In some examples, in addition to generating and outputting a videostream representing video content, NPS 202 may generate and output anaudio stream representing corresponding audio content. Similarly, insome examples, a video-broadcast system may be integrated with anaudio-broadcast system, such that a video stream representing videocontent may be broadcast together with an audio stream representingcorresponding audio content. Likewise, in some examples, in addition topresenting video content represented by a video stream, end-user device206 may present corresponding audio content represented by a receivedaudio stream. In any of these examples, a video stream and an audiostream may be combined into a single media stream.

III. Example Operations

In one aspect, election system 308 may perform various acts, which willnow be described. First, election system 308 may access data associatedwith multiple elections, such as by receiving such data from a datastorage unit.

Election system 308 may use the data to generate a set of orderedcontent items, where each content item of the set includes contentassociated with a respective one of the multiple elections. For example,election system may use the data to generate set 400 in the first stateas shown in FIG. 4A.

Next, video source 302 may use the generated set of ordered content togenerate a video stream representing the content items in the specifiedorder. For example, this may involve a character generator using set 400to generate a video stream (e.g., in the form of a ticker) representingvideo content that includes content items 402 a-d in that order.

Next, election system 308 may make a determination that a status of oneof the multiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set.This may indicate that the election has a threshold level of popularity.For example, if the status satisfies each condition in the conditionset, this may indicate that the election is significantly close,significantly lopsided, or that an earlier projected outcome of theelection was significantly inaccurate.

The condition set may include one or more conditions. In a firstexample, the condition set may include a condition that at least athreshold amount of votes cast in connection with the election have beentabulated. In some instances, if this condition is satisfied, this mayindicate that there are a significant amount of votes that have beentabulated.

In a second example, the condition set may include a condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at most a threshold amount. In some instances, if thiscondition is satisfied, this may indicate that the election issignificantly close.

In a third example, the condition set may include a condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at least a threshold amount. In some instances, if thiscondition is satisfied, this may indicate that the election issignificantly lopsided.

In a fourth example, the condition set may include a condition that afirst projected outcome of the election and a second projected outcomeof the election differ by at least a threshold extent, where the firstprojected outcome of the election is determined before the secondprojected outcome of the election is determined. In some instances, ifthis condition is satisfied, this may indicate that an earlierprojection of the outcome of the election was significantly inaccurate.The condition set may include any of these or other conditions in anycombination.

In a fifth example, the condition set may include a condition thatvoter-turnout associated with the election is at least a thresholdamount. In one example, scheduling system 306 may determine avoter-turnout amount by comparing an amount of voters registered in agiven geographic area (e.g., covering one or more precincts associatedwith the election) with a corresponding amount of votes tabulated. Insome instances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate thatthe election has significantly high voter turnout.

In a sixth example, the condition set may include a condition that voterturnout associated with the election is at most a threshold amount. Insome instances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate thatthe election has significantly low voter turnout.

In a seventh example, the condition set may include a condition that theelection is a subject of a threshold extent of social-media activity. Inone example, the threshold extent of social-media activity may be athreshold amount of social-media activity. In one implementation,scheduling system 306 may determine an amount of social media-activityby querying a social media database (e.g., a database of Twitter orFacebook postings) and determining how many postings include a termrelated to the election, perhaps during a specified time period. Inanother example, the threshold extent of social-media activity may be athreshold change in social-media activity. In one implementation,scheduling system 306 may determine a change in social-media activity bycomparing amounts of social-media activity across multiple time periods.In some instances, scheduling system 306 may compare activity in oneelection with activity in other elections to determine whether theactivity of that election breaks from a trend of the others. In someinstances, if this condition is satisfied, this may indicate that publicinterest in the election is relatively high.

Based at least in part, on the determination, while the video stream isbeing generated, election system 308 may modify the set of orderedcontent items, thereby causing the video content to be modified.

Election system 308 may modify the set of ordered content items invarious ways. For example, election system 308 may reorder a contentitem. As such, where a particular election is determined to have athreshold level of popularity, the election system may re-positionwithin the set of ordered content items (e.g., by moving it closer tothe beginning of the set) the content item corresponding to thatelection. For instance, election system 308 may make a determinationthat a status of the election associated with content item 402 csatisfied each condition in a condition set, and based on thedetermination, election system 308 may modify set 400 by reorderingcontent item 402 c such that the modified order of set 400 is contentitem 402 c, 402 a, 402 b, and 402 d. This may result in content item 402c having a more prominent position in the video content (i.e., one thatis more likely to be viewed). FIG. 4B is a simplified diagram of set 400in a second state, namely a state after set 400 is modified as describedabove.

As another example, where a particular election is determined to have athreshold level of popularity, election system 308 may add a duplicateof the content item corresponding with that election to the set ofcontent items. For instance, election system 308 may make adetermination that a status of the election associated with content item402 b satisfied each condition in a condition set, and based on thedetermination, election system 308 may modify set 400 by adding aduplicate of content item 402 b (the duplicate being referred to as 402e) to set 400 such that set 400 includes content items 402 a-e in thatorder. This may result is content item 402 b (or a copy thereof)appearing more frequently (i.e., as content item 402 b or 402 e) in thevideo content. FIG. 4C is a simplified diagram of set 400 in a thirdstate, namely a state after set 400 is modified as described above.Other example ways of modifying the set of ordered content items arealso possible.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 600. At block 602,method 600 may include using, by a computing device, data associatedwith multiple elections to generate a set of ordered content items,wherein each content item of the set of ordered content items includescontent associated with a respective one of the multiple elections, andwherein the set of ordered content items is used to generate a videostream representing video content.

At block 604, method 600 may include using, by a computing device, atleast a portion of the data to make a determination that a status of oneof the multiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set.

At block 606, method 600 may include based, at least in part, on thedetermination, while the video stream is being generated, modifying, bythe computing device, the set of ordered content items, thereby causingthe video content to be modified.

IV. Example Variations

Each of the systems, devices, or other entities described in thisdisclosure may or may not be a discrete entity. As such, each of thedescribed entities may be made up of multiple discrete entities.Further, two or more of the described entities may be combined into asingle discrete entity.

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been described as being performed by a particular entity (e.g.,election system 308), such acts and/or functions may be performed by anyentity, such as those described in this disclosure (e.g., video source302). Further, although the described acts and/or functions have beenrecited in a particular order, the acts and/or functions need not beperformed in the order recited. However, in some instances, it may bedesired to perform the acts and/or functions in the order recited. Also,not all of the described acts and/or functions need to be performed toachieve one or more of the benefits provided by this disclosure, andtherefore not all acts and/or functions are required.

Although certain variations have been discussed in connection with oneor more example of this disclosure, such variations may also be appliedto all of the other examples of this disclosure as well.

Although select examples of this disclosure have been described,alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, and/oralterations are also possible without departing from the invention inits broader aspects as set forth in the following claims.

1. A method comprising: using, by a computing device, data associatedwith multiple elections to generate a set of ordered content items,wherein each content item of the set of ordered content items includescontent associated with a respective one of the multiple elections, andwherein the set of ordered content items is used to generate a videostream representing video content; using, by a computing device, atleast a portion of the data to make a determination that a status of oneof the multiple elections satisfies each condition in a condition set;and based, at least in part, on the determination, while the videostream is being generated, modifying, by the computing device, the setof ordered content items, thereby causing the video content to bemodified.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a character generator usesthe set of ordered content items to generate the video streamrepresenting video content.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the videocontent presents the set of ordered content items in a scrollingfashion.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the video content presentsthe set of ordered content items in a rotating fashion.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the condition set comprises at least one condition fromthe group consisting of: a first condition that at least a thresholdamount of votes cast in connection with the election have beentabulated; a second condition that a difference between an amount ofvotes tabulated for a first candidate of the election and an amount ofvotes tabulated for a second candidate of the election is at most athreshold amount; a third condition that a difference between an amountof votes tabulated for a first candidate of the election and an amountof votes tabulated for a second candidate of the election is at least athreshold amount; a fourth condition that a first projected outcome ofthe election and a second projected outcome of the election differ by atleast a threshold extent, wherein the first projected outcome of theelection is determined before the second projected outcome of theelection is determined; a fifth condition that voter-turnout associatedwith the election is at least a threshold amount; a sixth condition thatvoter turnout associated with the election is at most a thresholdamount; and a seventh condition that the election is a subject of athreshold extent of social-media activity.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein modifying the set of ordered content items comprises modifyingthe set of ordered content items by reordering a content item of the setof ordered content items, wherein the content item corresponds with theelection.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the set of orderedcontent items comprises modifying the set of ordered content items byadding to the set of ordered content items a duplicate of a content itemof the set of ordered content items, wherein the content itemcorresponds with the election.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: transmitting the video stream to an end-user device forpresentation of the video content to an end-user.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon, program instructionsthat when executed by a processor, cause the computing device to performa set of acts comprising: using data associated with multiple electionsto generate a set of ordered content items, wherein each content item ofthe set of ordered content items includes content associated with arespective one of the multiple elections, and wherein the set of orderedcontent items is used to generate a video stream representing videocontent; using at least a portion of the data to make a determinationthat a status of one of the multiple elections satisfies each conditionin a condition set; and based, at least in part, on the determination,while the video stream is being generated, modifying the set of orderedcontent items, thereby causing the video content to be modified.
 10. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein a character generator usesthe set of ordered content items to generate the video streamrepresenting video content.
 11. The computer-readable medium of claim 9,wherein the video content presents the set of ordered content items in ascrolling fashion.
 12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, whereinthe video content presents the set of ordered content items in arotating fashion.
 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, whereinthe condition set comprises at least one condition from the groupconsisting of: a first condition that at least a threshold amount ofvotes cast in connection with the election have been tabulated; a secondcondition that a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for afirst candidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for asecond candidate of the election is at most a threshold amount; a thirdcondition that a difference between an amount of votes tabulated for afirst candidate of the election and an amount of votes tabulated for asecond candidate of the election is at least a threshold amount; afourth condition that a first projected outcome of the election and asecond projected outcome of the election differ by at least a thresholdextent, wherein the first projected outcome of the election isdetermined before the second projected outcome of the election isdetermined; a fifth condition that voter-turnout associated with theelection is at least a threshold amount; a sixth condition that voterturnout associated with the election is at most a threshold amount; anda seventh condition that the election is a subject of a threshold extentof social-media activity.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9,wherein modifying the set of ordered content items comprises modifyingthe set of ordered content items by reordering a content item of the setof ordered content items, wherein the content item corresponds with theelection.
 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein modifyingthe set of ordered content items comprises modifying the set of orderedcontent items by adding to the set of ordered content items a duplicateof a content item of the set of ordered content items, wherein thecontent item corresponds with the election.
 16. A system comprising acharacter generator, wherein the system is configured to perform a setof acts comprising: using data associated with multiple elections togenerate a set of ordered content items, wherein each content item ofthe set of ordered content items includes content associated with arespective one of the multiple elections, and wherein the charactergenerator uses the set of ordered content items to generate a videostream representing video content; using at least a portion of the datato make a determination that a status of one of the multiple electionssatisfies each condition in a condition set; and based, at least inpart, on the determination, while the video stream is being generated,modifying the set of ordered content items, thereby causing the videocontent to be modified.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the videocontent presents the set of ordered content items in a scrolling orrotating fashion.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the condition setcomprises at least one condition from the group consisting of: a firstcondition that at least a threshold amount of votes cast in connectionwith the election have been tabulated; a second condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at most a threshold amount; a third condition that adifference between an amount of votes tabulated for a first candidate ofthe election and an amount of votes tabulated for a second candidate ofthe election is at least a threshold amount; a fourth condition that afirst projected outcome of the election and a second projected outcomeof the election differ by at least a threshold extent, wherein the firstprojected outcome of the election is determined before the secondprojected outcome of the election is determined; a fifth condition thatvoter-turnout associated with the election is at least a thresholdamount; a sixth condition that voter turnout associated with theelection is at most a threshold amount; and a seventh condition that theelection is a subject of a threshold extent of social-media activity.19. The system of claim 16, wherein modifying the set of ordered contentitems comprises modifying the set of ordered content items by (i)reordering a content item of the set of ordered content items, or (ii)adding to the set of ordered content items a duplicate of a content itemof the set of ordered content items, wherein the content itemcorresponds with the election.
 20. The system of claim 16, the set ofacts further comprising: transmitting the video stream to an end-userdevice for presentation of the video content to an end-user.